Adams: Nothing scary about picking Vols

John Adams
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So what are you wearing to Halloween night at Neyland Stadium?

I'll be disguised as an over-the-hill sportswriter with a receding hairline and a bad knee. Whether I use one or two crutches will be a game-day decision.

But I'm more interested in what the celebrities will be wearing. I'm even offering suggestions.

Jonathan Crompton - He won't need a new costume. He can wear the same thing he wore the last two Saturdays.

And play like the same Tennessee quarterback.

Steve Spurrier - An orange baseball cap, white shirt, and orange sweater vest with a pillow inside.

It would be a nice tribute to the Florida-Tennessee rivalry of the 1990s when both teams were contending for championships, and Spurrier and UT's Phillip Fulmer were two of the most successful coaches in the country.

Lane Kiffin - The obvious choice would be an official's uniform, but that might cost him a third reprimand from the SEC office.

On second thought, how about a long-haired black wig, and a crimson jersey with No. 62 on it and a 150-pound pillow inside? But he can't wear a helmet.

Tennessee 27, South Carolina 20: After UT's drubbing of Georgia and close loss to unbeaten Alabama, Neyland Stadium should be scary loud on Halloween. The Vols will need any edge they can get against the Gamecocks.

In their last four meetings at Neyland Stadium, UT has won three. But all of the games were decided by seven points or fewer.

Florida 24, Georgia 10: The Bulldogs upset the Gators two years ago in a game best remembered for Georgia's early touchdown celebration, which drew a penalty and the wrath of Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Don't be surprised if the Bulldogs try something similar this afternoon. But they shouldn't wait for a touchdown.

Coach Mark Richt should have the entire team rush onto the field to celebrate the team's first first down, probably sometime in the middle of the second quarter.

Ole Miss 27, Auburn 20: The deeper the Tigers go into the 2009 season, the more they remind you of 2008 when they lost six of their last seven games and finished 5-7. You could say the same for quarterback Chris Todd, who has critics wondering if his shoulder problems have reoccurred.

Unfortunately for Auburn, there's nothing wrong with Jevan Snead's throwing arm. After a dreadful start, the Ole Miss quarterback has completed 37 of 55 passes for 572 yards and five touchdowns the last two weeks.

Mississippi State 24, Kentucky 20: Wildcat quarterbacks - all three of them - should be on the lookout for freshman defensive back Johnthan Banks, quarterback Tim Tebow's new go-to receiver.

Following Banks' two interceptions for touchdowns last week, only Aaron Hernandez and Riley Cooper have caught more touchdown passes (three apiece) from Tebow this season.

Randall Cobb is the only Wildcat with more touchdown catches than Banks.

Georgia Tech 24, Vanderbilt 10: Commodores coach Bobby Johnson should be taking notes on the sideline while the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense is running merrily up-and-down the field. Paul Johnson's offense proves you can move the ball without throwing it.

Georgia Tech ranks 116th nationally in passing yards per game. Vanderbilt ranks 111th.

One difference: The Commodores have 150 more passing attempts.

Another difference: Georgia Tech is averaging 291.6 yards per game rushing. Vanderbilt is averaging 174.5.

LSU 62, Tulane 0: This almost marks the end of a in-state rivalry as storied as UT vs. Vanderbilt. LSU has agreed to play another game in the Superdome at an undisclosed date (presumably sometime in the next century), and that will be the end of it.

Tulane won the series opener 1893, but LSU bounced back to win 68 of the next 96 games.

Series highlights: Tulane once went 12 consecutive years without scoring more than a touchdown; from 1958 through 1965, LSU won three games by the score of 62-0.

Arkansas 55, Eastern Michigan 10: The Razorbacks don't get enough credit for scheduling attractive non-conference opponents from outside the Southeast and Southwest. And I'm not just talking about Southern California, which outscored the Razorbacks 120-31 in back-to-back games.

Last year, the Razorbacks opened the season against Western Illinois. Other recent non-conference opponents have included Utah State, Missouri State and New Mexico State.

They might be catching Eastern Michigan at the wrong time. After opening the season with six consecutive losses, the Eagles lost by only two points to Ball State last week.

Top 25: Texas 31, Oklahoma State 27; Southern California 31, Oregon 30; Cincinnati 37, Syracuse 17; Boise State 45, San Jose 17; Iowa 30, Indiana 17; TCU 45, UNLV 7; Penn State 27, Northwestern 10; Houston 41, Southern Mississippi 30, Ohio State 52, New Mexico State 7; Miami 30, Wake Forest 20; Utah 27, Wyoming 13, Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 7; Notre Dame 42, Washington State 14.

Record: 136-36 (.791) overall, 84-68 (.553) against the spread.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

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Comments » 25

CrankE writes:

I believe Tennessee crushes South Carolina and drives a nail in the coffin of Steve Spurrier's career.

Adams could disguise himself as an adequate sportswriter. It'd be an upgrade.

tigervol77 writes:

UT-35 SC-10

TommyJack writes:

in response to 02champs#209256:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Dude, that's harsh.

thaclaw writes:

ut 45 sc 9

duncanvol writes:

24 - 21 vols

we3vols#281863 writes:

Wanna talk after...game....Vols 31...Chickens 13. After all when the Chickens played the Dawgs, it was a shoot out? Go Figure. Go Vols!

we3vols#281863 writes:

in response to MVuniv:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

LOLOLOL. Go Vols...Go to H3LL Lopers!

senracjr writes:

Tennessee 24 Roosters 10

senracjr writes:

Mark it down...no more losses for the Big Orange.
8-4 reg season 9-4 after bowl
top 5 recruting for 2009.

OldNumber7 writes:

in response to senracjr:

Tennessee 24 Roosters 10

I think you got it. I don't see how SC scores the 20 Adams picked.

the10sevol writes:

i'll be dressed as the rabid Vol fan who skips over the articles just to read the comments.

some funny stuff, ja. and the posts just keep on entertaining. and now witchie's calling us all out!

in a rainy, sloppy butt-whuppin', Vols 31 chickens 3. beers never lie.

GBO

*(witchie - you said i had to shut up if i didn't post a score, not if my prediction was wrong, correct?)

rockytopatl writes:

I tend to agree that USC won't get that many -- more like 10 or 12. Vols will get 24 or so. Tennessee 24-10.

Florida will score many times against Georgia. It will be like their offensive woes never happened: FLA 38, UGA 10.

VOL03_NC writes:

in response to OldNumber7:

I think you got it. I don't see how SC scores the 20 Adams picked.

Agreed!

crimsonviper writes:

20-10..Vols..and the ole ball sack throws his hat down three times.

the10sevol writes:

in response to crimsonviper:

20-10..Vols..and the ole ball sack throws his hat down three times.

love it. let's make it official -

what's the over/under on stevie's visor throws?
tiebreaker on the score prediction.

i'll go with 2. then i think he'll set it on fire.

GBO

the10sevol writes:

in response to ShaversChoice:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

wet balls and cool weather are never a good combination, imo.

GBO

eefor10c writes:

adams, IT'S NOT A DISGUISE!!!! You are an over-the hill sports writer. You left out other facts. You are a biased, worthless hack who also just can't seem to let go of Fulmer. I guess you consider that YOU got him fired and you just want to keep bringing him up. YOU ARE A TOTAL JERK!!!

99gator writes:

good luck tomorrow.

i would say beat the.....

but, i don't think that post would go over too well.

GainesvilleVol1 writes:

I say it will be close. UT 24 Chicks 21.

Tease UT and get +.5 and down to 35 and take the over.

Keep enough dough in your pocket for a bus ride home.

GO VOLS!!!

Hounddog writes:

Hounddog will bite, WD UT-33 USC-21

Let's play football. Hounddog

ThurmondEppy writes:

in response to we3vols#281863:

LOLOLOL. Go Vols...Go to H3LL Lopers!

How many times do you have to be told to not respond to the interlopers? Don't you understand that they check back with baited breath to see how many people respond to them??? This isn't rocket science.

mbible1utk#324980 writes:

Last week 18-6 overall, 11-13 against the spread 149-29 overall, 89-76 against the spread

Tennessee- 21 (by 6)
South Carolina-10

Florida- 34 (by 15)
Georgia-10

LSU-38 (by 36)
Tulane-7

Ole Miss- 35 (by 4.5)
Auburn-24

Georgia Tech-28 (by 12)
Vanderbilt-21

Arkansas- 56 (by 37)
Eastern Michigan-10

Mississippi State- 24
Kentucky-31 (by 3.5)
Texas-35 (by 9)
Oklahoma State- 28

Oregon-19 (by 3)
USC-17

Cincinnati-41 (by 15)
Syracuse- 10

Boise State- 49 (by 35)
San Jose State- 17

Iowa-28 (by 17.5)
Indiana-14

TCU-52 (by 35)
UNLV-7

Penn State- 31 (by 15)
Northwestern- 7

Houston- 35 (by 6.5)
Southern Miss-24

Ohio State- 55 (by 44)
New Mexico State- 0

Miami- 38 (by 7)
Wake Forest-15

Utah- 35 (by 17)
Wyoming- 17

West Virginia- 20
South Florida- 28 (by 3)

Oklahoma- 48 (by 28)
Kansas State-10

Notre Dame-42 (by 28)
Washington State- 10

johnlg00#206211 writes:

in response to OldNumber7:

I think you got it. I don't see how SC scores the 20 Adams picked.

The "old" Crompton resurfaces for a brief moment and throws a pick-6; SC runs a kick-off back for a TD, as they already have done a time or two this year. Otherwise, Monte's defense smothers them and Vols get 200 yards rushing. Vols-28--Chickens--17.

lildhoss76ut#638162 writes:

Vols-28 Cox-17 EB runs one back for a TD and the record.Hardesty breaks off a big run for a TD,BB punches in a short TD and crompton tosses a TD to Moore.Lincoln only has to kick the extra pts.This is on the record.GO VOLS!!!

Liberal_Vol writes:

Tennessee 42 Chickens 0 or maybe 3 late from 63 yard field goal. We won't attempt a field goal because Daniel's quadricep is still bothering him and Chad's not ready to kick anything over 15 yards away.... So, we will just have to stuff it down their throats and pass it all over them on play action.

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